An office action is an official communication from an intellectual property office identifying issues with a patent or trademark application.
It may require a response before the application can move forward.
Why an office action matters
Office actions can affect whether an application is approved, narrowed, amended, refused, abandoned, or appealed.
The communication often explains legal or factual problems, such as prior art, descriptiveness, likelihood of confusion, or formal defects.
Where an office action appears
Office actions appear in patent prosecution, trademark examination, application files, response deadlines, amendment practice, and appeals within the agency process.
They may be nonfinal or final depending on the stage and rules.
How it differs from nearby terms
An office action is the agency communication. A patent examiner is the official who reviews a patent application.
Patent prior art is information that may be cited in an office action to challenge patentability.
Practical example
A patent examiner issues an office action rejecting claims as obvious over earlier publications. The applicant may respond with amendments and arguments.
Related Terms
Quick check
Question: Is an office action an official application-review communication?
Answer: Yes. It identifies issues that may need response during examination.